Why Deli Meats? The Causes, Risks, and Prevention of Listeria in Deli Meat | Food Poisoning News

Listeriosis, an infection caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, is one of the most dangerous forms of foodborne illness, particularly for vulnerable populations. A recent outbreak linked to Boar’s Head deli meats has brought renewed attention to the risks associated with this common food source. As Ron Simon, the Listeria Lawyer who filed the first wrongful death in the current Boar’s Head Listeria outbreak, stated:

“Eating a liverwurst sandwich was enough to bring about the untimely death of my client, Gunter Morgenstein. He was the very picture of a vibrant, loving, family man, with a passion for life. When he contracted listeriosis from consuming Boar’s Head deli meat, all that came crashing down, leading to his death. In our Boar’s Head lawsuit, we will work to understand what went wrong at Boar’s Head and work to prevent this from happening to other families.”

Although relatively rare compared to other foodborne pathogens, Listeria has the potential to cause severe illness, hospitalization, and even death, especially in pregnant women, newborns, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Deli meats, which are often consumed cold and stored in conditions favorable for bacterial growth, are a known vector for Listeria contamination, making them a frequent subject of food safety scrutiny.